Finding Love in Payton (10 page)

"Let's go over here," he murmured, setting the
pitcher of water down on an empty table and guiding
Dinah toward the sliding glass doors that led to the
patio. "I'm taking a five minute break," he called out
to Payton, who nodded right back.

As soon as they were outside, he seated himself
across from her at a wrought-iron table. "What's up?"

Dinah bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking, coming here while you were working."
She paused for breath, then looked even more confused. "Why are you working, by the way? I thought
you were going home."

"I left The Mill in such a hurry I forgot that I didn't
have a car. Thought I'd put in a few hours and then
get a ride home with Payton or Priscilla."

She nodded her understanding, though she did look
completely preoccupied. "Oh."

He waited again, glanced through the glass door to
make sure nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
"Did you need something?"

She leaned forward, the ends of her hair falling toward her jaw. "Actually, no. I mean, I was wanting
something. I mean I'd liike ..." Her voice drifted off,
in sync with the color rising in her cheeks.

Immediately, worry set in. "Is something wrong
with Bryan? Is that why he's not here?"

"Oh no. He's with Joanne and Mary Beth, actually."
She flashed a smile. "I'm trying to ask you something,
and I'm embarrassed to say it's a little hard in coming."

Wearily Jeremy waited. She was probably going to
tell him to leave her alone. That she didn't need to
have to worry about him making calves' eyes at her.
He steeled himself to look completely at ease, like he
got rejected all the time. "Just say it, then," he coaxed.
"That's usually the best way."

"I guess so. Well, all right, then. Would you like to come over next Saturday night for dinner?" she asked
quickly.

He was completely taken aback. She was asking
him out? To her house for dinner? It took all the control he had to not stand up and cheer. "Sure," he said
as easily as possible. "That sounds really nice."

"Bryan will be there."

Where else would he be? "I hope so."

She smiled then, perking her face up and making
him grin in return. "I thought we could grill steaks."

"Steaks sound great."

"And potatoes. Salad, too."

He couldn't resist any longer. Reaching out, he
clasped one of the hands that gripped the edge of the
table and enfolded it in his own. "Anything you do
would make me happy."

Brown eyes darkened, looking almost black. He
could stare at them forever. Because she looked in
need of further coaxing, he added, "Really."

"You're not just saying that?"

"I'm not just saying that," he replied. "Thank you
for inviting me."

Dinah let out a deep breath. "I was a little nervous.
I was afraid you'd say no."

"I didn't," he said lightly, though he knew he'd
would never deny her anything. For a brief moment
he wondered if he was in love with her. Was that what
love was like? Did it just sneak up on a person, mak ing him want to do anything for a woman, just to see
her smile?

He slid his fingers through her own, taking a minute
to notice the difference between their two hands ...
his so much meatier, bigger, tanner. Rough. Her hand
felt delicate and smooth in his own. And cold.

"Are you chilly?"

"No," she said, with a smile. "I'm just fine."

So was he. "I better go get back to work. What time
on Saturday?"

She thought for a moment. "Is five too early? Bryan
goes to bed at 7:30. If it's any later, you'd hardly get
to see him."

"Five's just fine."

"Well, then. I guess I better get on back. Bryan
needs a snack, and then I've got to go to the store.
And sew a few costumes."

"I forgot you were doing them. How's it going?"

She shrugged. "It's going. I'll be ready for your first
fitting in a few weeks."

"I'll be ready," he said as they slowly left the patio
and entered the dining room.

As she walked away, he picked up his water pitcher
again, feeling ready to conquer anything. Even ask
Priscilla or Payton for a ride home.

Dinah knew inviting Jeremy over had been a mistake. A silly, thoughtless mistake. The only problem was that she didn't know how to get out of it at all.
One more time she wrote down her grocery list only
to immediately cross each item off. Although she'd
never claim to be a gourmet, she could certainly handle grilling steaks and putting together a salad. She
just didn't quite know what to do about dessert. It
seemed the most personal item, and because it seemed
that way to her, it embarrassed her too.

She didn't know his tastes. Cherry or apple pie?
Maybe a chocolate cake? Cookies, ice cream?

Something fancy to make up for the plain dinner?

She sighed, wishing Betty Crocker would appear
before her in a blaze of glory. But then the door
opened, and the next best thing did: Priscilla Hayward,
gourmet cook extraordinaire. Dinah couldn't believe
her luck.

"Hi, Priscilla," she called out, while Bonnie barked
out a cheerful greeting.

"Hi," Priscilla said, after petting Bonnie. "Have we
met?"

"Only in passing."

Relief cascaded over her pretty features. "Thank
goodness. I've met so many people, and I'm afraid to
offend anyone by admitting that I don't remember
their name."

"I'm Dinah Cate, and you've met my parents, the
Ryans, I believe."

Recognition brightened her eyes as Priscilla placed
her. "Now I've got it." She laughed. "I'm sorry, I still can't quite get used to knowing everyone everywhere
I go."

"I understand," Dinah said. "Is there anything I can
help you with?"

Priscilla named a few authors. "I love their books.
Any new ones out?"

"Let's go see," Dinah replied. "I think Arnold Fergusen's new mystery is out in hardcover." For the next
few minutes they wandered through the shelves, discussing books and authors. Priscilla was just the kind
of customer Dinah liked: a chatty one.

Most people enjoyed being by themselves when selecting novels, and Dinah understood that, but there
was nothing she liked more than conversing about authors and titles with someone new. Even if their tastes
were completely opposite, she got a charge just from
the interaction.

Finally Priscilla had an armful of books and a happy
smile on her face. "I'm so glad Joanne told me about
this place," she said as she walked to Dinah's front
counter. "It's been a pleasure to be here."

"I'm glad you came."

After ringing up the order, she knew it was now or
never. Priscilla was genuinely nice and was so pretty
that she probably dated all the time. If anyone could
help her plan the meal it would be her. "Do you have
a minute? Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Sure."

Eagerly, Dinah hopped up and fixed two steaming mugs and brought them to the front of the store. "I
need some help with a dinner I'm planning."

"Ah," Priscilla said, understanding dawning. "Big
party or small?"

"Small. I invited someone over for dinner. We're
having steaks, baked potatoes, and salad. Rolls."

"Sounds like a male guest."

Dinah laughed at the description. "You guessed it."

"Guys love that kind of food. What's the problem?"

"Dessert."

A smile played on Priscilla's lips. "Dessert?"

"I don't know what to fix. I don't know what he
would like. Any ideas?"

Priscilla sipped her coffee as she studied Dinah over
the rim. "A couple. Fancy or simple?"

"Simple."

"How about ice cream sundaes?"

"Really?"

Priscilla laughed. "Why do you look so shocked?"

"Well, you've got this amazing reputation, I was
expecting you to say crepes Suzette or Baked Alaska,
or something."

"I could suggest those, if you wanted to cook all
day, but I think simple desserts are sometimes best.
Crush up some Oreos, pecans, a candy bar. Have out
a topping or two. Your guest is going to love it!"

"That's all you would do?"

"Sure."

"Really?"

"Well, if I was showing off, I'd make the ice cream
and the sauce, and put it all in some kind of fancy
bowls. But it's the same thing. Anyway, I have a feeling that your guest isn't coming over for dinner to
critique you," she said, smiling at Dinah.

"I don't think he is," Dinah confided.

"And why would he? You're adorable."

Dinah laughed. "Thanks." Then, because talking
about it with someone who wasn't related to herself
or Jeremy felt so good, she said, "Speaking of my
guest ... Well, he's younger than me."

Priscilla raised her jet black eyebrows a fraction.
"Now that's interesting."

That didn't sound good. "Do you think that's bad?"

"Not at all. I think if you have found someone who
you like being with, and he feels the same way, you
should hold onto him tight."

Dinah laughed. "Ever felt that way?"

She raised a shoulder. "Once or twice."

"And ... now?" she prodded, recalling the
fireworks that Jeremy had said had been going on between Payton and Priscilla.

Priscilla looked taken aback. "Now? Gosh, who
knows. I'm enormously attracted to a guy who dresses
better than most women, who can lie at the drop of a
hat, and who has the whitest teeth of anyone I've ever
met."

"That's quite a lot to deal with."

"Tell me about it! And ... he follows me around
and gives me compliments."

Dinah wrinkled her nose and tried to sound appalled. "I'd hate that."

Priscilla chuckled. "I know. He sounds perfect,
doesn't he? If only he hadn't lied to me about Payton.
Then I might give him a chance."

Intrigued, Dinah leaned forward. "Well, what did he
say?"

"He led me to believe Payton, Ohio was completely
different than it is. That it was progressive, and upbeat." She rolled her eyes. "Those things it is not."

Dinah felt vaguely sad to hear her hometown derided. "It really is a good place to live."

Priscilla looked stricken. "Oh, don't get me wrong,
I'm loving it here. It's just ... well, I was hoping to
make a name for myself. To go back to Houston,
Texas a hot-shot chef, and use my reputation to start
my own bistro." She shook her head. "No offense, but
it's not going to happen here."

Dinah wasn't offended. "What are you going to
do?"

"At first I was just going to quit. But now ... I don't
know. I'm liking the club a lot. And the board members, with all their motherly and fatherly advice, have
kind of grown on me. And then there's Payton Chase."

"You know, I've always liked him. He was really sweet to me when my husband died. I don't know
what I would have done without friends like him."

Priscilla stared at her in surprise. "I'm sorry about
your husband."

So was she. "It's okay. It was a few years ago."

"So this dating stuff is pretty new, huh?" Priscilla
asked, her voice kindhearted.

"Yeah. Yes, it is."

"Would you like me to make something spectacular
for you?"

"Thanks, but no. I'm actually looking forward to
the sundaes. And I think Jeremy will like them too."

Priscilla's smile became full-fledged. "Jeremy
Reece?"

"Yes."

"Oh, Dinah," Priscilla said with a sigh. "He's practically dreamy. You're going to have a wonderful
time."

Dinner was going to be a disaster. Bryan was crying, the salad from the bag looked wilted, and even
after an hour, the potatoes still weren't soft. Dinah
frantically wondered if Jeremy would mind if she just
handed him the keys to her sedan and told him to take
her away.

Somehow she thought he just might run away if she
did that!

"It's okay, Bry," she cooed, holding him on her hip
like she used to when he was about five pounds
lighter. "Everything's going to be okay."

But he only squirmed and wiggled, wanting instead
to play in front of the oven. Even Bonnie had gotten
into the act, howling every time Bryan let out an especially loud cry.

Dinah felt like crying herself. Here she'd been so
ready to have a perfect dinner, to show Jeremy just
how fun being around her and Bryan could be, when
all the elements in the world seemed determined to
fight her left and right.

With despair, she glanced down at her white capris
and bright yellow top. Both were now splattered with
who-knew-what, and looked wrinkled enough to have
been slept in. Yeah, he was going to be impressed, all
right.

The doorbell rang, and with a grimace she realized
that not only was Jeremy on time, but he also had that
annoying male trait of not realizing that you never,
ever arrived at a party early. Holding Bryan tightly on
her hip, she went to greet him, as well as she was
able.

"Hey," he said. "I hope you don't mind that I'm a
few minutes early. I didn't want to be late, and then
the traffic through downtown was nonexistent, and I
didn't want your neighbors to think I was casing the
neighborhood ..." His voice drifted off as he caught
sight of her stricken face and Bryan's tear-streaked
one. "What's wrong?"